Desert or Dessert | Meaning & Examples
Desert and dessert are two completely different words with similar spellings. Depending on the meaning, their pronunciation can be the same or different.
Dessert is always a noun, whereas desert can be a noun (with two completely different meanings) or a verb.
| Spelling | Pronunciation | Example sentences |
|---|---|---|
| Desert [verb] | We had to desert the sun loungers as the storm raced in from nowhere. | |
| Desert [noun] | Many people are surprised to learn that the largest desert on Earth is Antarctica, not the Sahara! | |
| Desert [noun] | It was difficult not to gloat, but it felt like Jack had gotten his just deserts. | |
| Dessert [noun] | Amy has a really sweet tooth, and dessert is always her favorite course. |
Is dessert a noun?
Dessert ( ) is a noun referring to a sweet course served at the end of a meal. It is only ever a noun, never a verb.
Desert as a noun
The most common meaning of desert as a noun is a large area of the Earth that has little to no vegetation because of extremely low levels of precipitation.
With this meaning, desert can also be used as a metaphor for a place that is completely lacking in something (e.g., “downtown had become a nightlife desert since the rezoning”).
Desert as a verb
Desert can also be a verb (pronounced ) that means “abandon a place or a person,” with the connotation of disloyalty.
In the military, desert is the verb used to describe the act of abandoning your position or duty. A soldier who does this is a deserter. A parent who abandons their child is guilty of child desertion.
I had clear instructions from my wife not to desert her at the party.
At this time of the morning, the beach was completely deserted.
Is it just deserts or just desserts?
The phrase just deserts is often misspelled as “just desserts” because the pronunciation ( ) is the same. However, the phrase means getting the punishment you deserve, and it has nothing to do with the sweet course in a meal.
Although desert here is a noun, it comes from “deserve:” with this meaning, you get what you deserve, and that is your desert. These days it is very rarely used with this sense, apart from in this phrase. The “just” in the phrase means “fair” or “justified.”
Frequently asked questions about dessert or desert
- What does desertion mean?
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Desertion is a noun derived from the verb desert, meaning “abandon a place or person.” It is found mainly in military contexts when military personnel leave their post without permission (e.g., “The private was charged with desertion”) but can also be used in relation to child desertion (e.g., “Billy’s parents had both been accused of child desertion”).
Desert and dessert are often confused. You can check your spelling and grammar with the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
